Face It, Worthy Has Look of a Superstar

By SCOTT OSTLER

May 24, 1987 12 AM PT

SEATTLE — Consider the game face of James Worthy. Can we get a close-up, Mr. TV Director?

Check the expression.

Even when Worthy is flying into the stormy weather under the backboard, even when he is about to throw down an angry stiff-arm jam on the end of a fast break, even when he’s digging in on defense, the expression never changes.

It is a look of mild curiosity, or boredom, but it is more a lack of expression. Eyes wide, mouth suggesting the letter O. It is the impassive, aloof look of English nobility, befitting James Worthy’s aristocratic name and game.

“You’re speaking of a person putting on a real game face,” said Laker reserve Wes Matthews.

You’re speaking of a person who scored 39 points in a 122-121 win over the SuperSonics here Saturday. A person who is averaging 25 points in the playoffs, with no other Laker averaging 20. A person shooting 64% from the floor, for a team that has won 10 of 11 playoff games.

You’re speaking of a person who is emerging in this year’s playoffs as a very big star in the NBA, a major in-your-face force and Laker leader.

And he’s doing it without changing expression.

“To me, that’s a frightening look,” said Laker Coach Pat Riley, of the patented Worthy game face.

An attitude goes with the face. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, when upset, will flap his arms like a huge bird. Magic Johnson, when a call goes the wrong way, can cry you a river. When called for a foul, Michael Cooper can do an Oscar- winning, dagger-in-the-back routine. Et tu, Zebra?

But Worthy? Bang on him, elbow him, call him names, rob him blind, step on his blue suede shoes--the game face never changes.

It wasn’t always like this.

“He used to get mad,” said Riley. “When guys would do to him like Bill Laimbeer did to Larry Bird today (a necktie tackle under the boards). His first two years, everyone would take their shots. He’d get all upset, it would take him out of the game.

“In our series against Boston (NBA finals three seasons ago), I thought he was effected greatly by the tactics (rough play, a lot of talking and taunting between teams). We talked after that Celtic series.”

Since then, Worthy has been less and less excitable. And more and more determined and efficient. Instead of retaliation, Worthy takes the offensive.

“He’d rather beat you with two points, a jumper or a bam-a-lam dunk in your face,” Wes Matthews said.

Or with elegance, the best word to describe Worthy’s offensive game.

“There’s no flamboyancy, he’s very stylish, graceful, balletic,” said Mychal Thompson, coining a couple of new words.

Swooping to the hoop, Worthy is the most stylish and balletic since Dr. J and, earlier, Connie Hawkins.

Worthy is the smoothest, quietest Laker since his predecessor at small forward, Jamaal (Silk) Wilkes. That nickname was retired with its owner, so the Lakers started calling Worthy “Clever.” For an explanation of the nickname, try guarding Worthy on a post-up.

They are different type of players, but Silk was clever, and Clever is silky. Both fit in perfectly with the Lakers’ running style. Both fit nicely in the set-up offense, Silk from outside and Worthy swooping to the hoop.

And both had great game faces. Silk worked quietly, and so does Worthy. When James scored 30 points against the Sonics in Game 2, Seattle Coach Bernie Bickerstaff commented that Worthy hadn’t really been a factor down the stretch, doing most of his scoring in the first half.

Maybe, but Worthy was a major factor in taking explosive Sonic forward Tom Chambers out of his game, at both ends of the court. The Face plays defense, too.

Saturday, Worthy scored 8 of the Lakers’ 25 points in the fourth quarter. His defensive play against Chambers again was a major factor.

But to the Lakers, what makes Worthy noteworthy in these playoffs is the attitude behind the game face.

“He’s a different player now than he’s ever been,” said Magic Johnson, who paints a picture of an intense player hiding behind a placid game face.

“He’s talking, taking control, taking his time, using picks, making passes,” Magic said. “He’s made his game rise. In this playoffs, this year, he’s talking. ‘I want him (Worthy’s defender), bring it to me.’ He’s (also) talking on defense.

“He’s really taking a leadership responsibility. Before, it was me and Kareem. Now James is saying, ‘Hey, I’m a leader, too.’ He really has become a leader. I can sit back and just smile, because I like to see a player grow.

“You know, there’s a difference between a great player and a great player who is also a leader. James has become a superstar.”

What does James have to say for himself? Not much. Worthy’s typical rap to the press is as wild and wacky as his game face. The man can self-efface and dish out cliches with the best of ‘em.

On his emergence as an unshakeable force, for instance, Worthy lumps himself with about 275 other NBA players.

“I think as a player progresses in this league, he becomes more mature,” Worthy said.

Maintaining one’s composure, Worthy explained, “is a matter of catching yourself.”

On his offensive confidence, he said, “Any player has to feel confident in his game, feel he can score.”

I guess if he does that, any player can light up the scoreboard for 39 in the pivotal game of the Conference Finals, or consistently play better in the playoffs than in the regular season, as James has throughout his five-season career.

No, you don’t get good quotes from Worthy. He’ll leave you yawning. To get the real story, you have to look at the face.